Radio's early days crackle on 'Prairie'

By LISA MILLEGAN
Modesto Bee
August 8, 2007

MURPHYS — "Voice of the Prairie" is a confusing but sweet play about the early days of radio in the rural Midwest.

The Murphys Creek Theatre production in Stevenot Winery's wooded amphitheater centers on a Nebraska farmer who reluctantly becomes a broadcaster.

Shy and unsure at first, David Quinn eventually gains a huge following by telling stories about roaming the country during his youth with a spirited blind girl named Frankie.

Written by John Olive 20 years ago, the play has no real plot; it's a collection of short disconnected scenes that jump back and forth between the 1890s when David is a child and the 1920s when he is working in radio.

It's hard to determine in the beginning what's happening, where the play is headed and which characters are important. My sister-in-law compared it to a Jackson Pollock painting, with its random splotches of paint in no particular order.

But everything falls into place in the second act, which focuses on the adult reunion between David and Frankie. It's touching to watch the old friends attempt to reconnect and recapture the joy of their childhood.

Under Graham Scott Green's direction, the show is set in a barn and relies heavily on audience members to use their imagination. There are few props and all five cast members play multiple parts. Oddly, two actors play David, with one playing him as a child and one as him as an adult, while just one actress plays Frankie.

Jack Souza, founder of Modesto's Prospect Theater Project, shines as the adult David, forging an intimate connection with the audience during his storytelling. He doesn't rush through the tales but pauses at key details, allowing listeners to paint pictures of the scenes in their heads.

Adopting a high-pitched voice, Josh Gren is fine as young Davey but he makes a much better impression as the pushy radio salesman Leon. Overly dramatic and liable to yell or cry at the slightest provocation, Leon will do anything if it will help him make a dollar.

Tara Kayton turns in another strong performance as Frankie, beginning the show as a reckless tomboy and ending as a mature and wise woman. Her scenes with both her co-stars are tender and loving and infused with passion.

Frankie's asthmatic minister suitor James should be a hilarious character but William Trier, who plays him, seems uncomfortable playing the fool. Lara Ford, who rounds out the cast, puts her flirting skills to good use as one of the first radio groupies.

The lighting design, created by Souza, makes for some lovely moments. Shadows and dim lighting add to the romance of Souza's storytelling scenes. When the lights go off near the end of the show, the audience understands how it feels to be blind like Frankie.

No matter what your opinion of the play, it's always good for the soul to visit the Stevenot Winery amphitheater, with its gorgeous view of the foothills and sparkling stars.

Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at 578-2313 or lmillegan@modbee.com.